Timber!

This week we had Terry and his 21 tonne excavator arrive at the farm to pull out cypress and pine trees. We had my sister and partner come down for the weekend, so they helped out with the house and also with burning the trees (those of you that know Jarrod would know that he was in his element with this part!).

The machine makes light work of the trees.


Before



 

After



Timber!



The small cypress along the driveway were relatively easy compared to the other older trees. 

Despite the fires raging away, we didn't receive any visits from the CFA. We did have the neighbours pop in though. The fires have been lit for three days now and are still smoking out the whole farm.

Tom and Buck checking out one of the fires

Tera and Buck - Best mates looking evil

 The farm is looking a lot more open, and now Tom has a blank canvas to start fencing.

Over the weekend we also had 2 more calves hit the ground giving us a total of 4 over the past few weeks. We must get naming!

Birthday Surprise

Today I was surprised with a new herb garden for my birthday. While I had been away having fun at my sister's Hen's party, Tom was busy building. It has already been planted courtesy of Jane and with a bit of love I will have herbs in no time!

New Herb Garden

Another calf was born on Saturday, so now we have two young girls running around. Both are still to be named. If anyone has any suggestions, this year they all have to start with 'G'. At the moment we are thinking "Gippy Girl" for one considering we live in Gippsland.

Grace is growing up

Grace (the rooster) has recently been trying to crow - It sounds more like his voice is breaking than anything, but hopefully he'll get there, as his current one sounds quite pathetic!
He has taken to flying up onto things now he has discovered his wings, and often frequents the outdoor table. Last night I found him roosting on the wheelie bin...hopefully he grows out of it!

New abbreviations and a new calf

This morning when I woke up it was cold, raining, and I had a nail in my car tyre. It got me to thinking that maybe this was some sort of message about my choice to begin a new life in the country.
Fortunately Tom came to the rescue and changed the tyre in the rain while I stood inside watching.

As I drove through the hills of Thorpdale in the rain I saw a rainbow as I came around the corner and thought that maybe my day was going to get better. It did.

The people I work with have turned out to be lovely, and I am heading out to a client tomorrow morning.
I am now learning a whole new set of abbreviations and have decided that maybe all accountants love them.

Today also saw the first calf for the year hit the ground. She was born without any assistance and is a healthy 35kg. The photo is not too good as it was taken on dusk.

Our hen Diego and rooster Grace (yes the rooster is called Grace as both were named by the kids down the road before we adopted them) have settled in quite nicely and Grace even attempted to crow this morning.

 Diego's leg is also healing quite nicely from the break caused by the hunting dog Buck, however she is getting around by hopping.

A massive thank you to my friends for a great last day at work (and new teapot!), and to my extended family for helping Tom and I get into our new home.

Exuberant Lad

One of Tom's Bulls has been selected for the Lardner Park Blonde d'Aquitaine feature sale in March. He's 17 months old in this photo, so still some more growing to do despite already being well over 630kg.

This is him as a calf with him Mum. He sure has grown!

There are three cows due this month, so hopefully we have some healthy calves soon.